Texas Judge Says Animal Snuff Films Are Constitutional

In a shocking decision in a case against a Houston couple, a judge ruled that animal snuff, or “crush” films, are protected by the First Amendment.

Animal lovers and decent human beings in general are appalled and disgusted that this ruling allows people to film animal torture, which might otherwise be a crime, as long as it is called “art.”

Judge Sim Lake dismissed the charges against Ashley Nicole Richards and Brent Justice, who created several of these crush films in which they subjected puppies, kittens, chickens and mice to unspeakable tortures.

One of the films showed a pit bull puppy being slashed with a meat cleaver, and eventually beheaded. In another, a kitten’s eye was smashed with a stiletto heel. The pair claimed they were creating the videos for paying customers, but whatever the motivation for their behavior, it is unconscionable that anyone could perform such malicious acts.

In spite of their heinous and extremely violent deeds, the torturers were only facing two years for their crimes before they were tossed out. Thankfully they still face two federal counts in the indictment for selling and transferring obscene matter, and for the production and transportation of obscene matter.

Judge Lake said, “the acts depicted in animal crush videos are disturbing and horrid,” but “it is still considered protected speech.” The judge felt the statute was “overbroad” in nature, thus making it unconstitutional.

In any event, animal lovers are outraged and calling for the appeal of this decision. The judge’s ruling could let other animal abusers and dog-fighters get away with inflicting pain and death upon innocent creatures as long as they film it and call it art.

studied English and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a focus on animal behavior, neuropsychology, and psychotherapy. She shares two pit bulls (adopted from the SPCA Serving Erie County) with her family, as well as three adopted cats with her husband, Fred. She takes pride in being a grammar enthusiast and advocating for animals, the environment, equal rights, and humanitarianism. She loves camping, cooking, taking photos, listening to psychedelic rock and indie music, and making all sorts of crafty things – from charm bracelets and paper rose bouquets to kitty condos and feral cat houses!

Melanie was sharing this profile with Fred, who is new to the Life With Dogs family, so many stories that were written by Fred from April 2014 – June 2014 will appear under Melanie’s name.

What in the Hell is wrong with this judge???? He’s a disgrace to the judicial system. Where is his conscience and where is his heart???? He should be disbarred. I don’t know how anyone can condone this horrible thing these people do. He is just as bad as them……

So if someone filmed child abuse or child pornography and called it “art”, would that also be protected by “The First Amendment”? I thought “art” was supposed to show creativity in a positive way, not prove how sick and twisted someone is.

There’s no way this would stand up to appellate review. Even using a strict-scrutiny framework, it’s incredibly clear that the government can demonstrate a compelling interest in preventing animal cruelty.

So if I film myself killing that couple in his jurisdiction in Texas, I can call it art and not be arrested for Murder? Crock of CRAP!!!!!! Animal Cruelty should not be able to be masked just because it is filmed! Technically, then, that couple are animals, so Game On!

There is SERIOUSLY something wrong with people if this act of DISGUST happens period. Filmed or not. There is no reason for people like this to be alive; if you can’t see the wrong is torturing harmless, defenseless animals, you need to evaluate why. And this judge is just as wrong and sick as the couple who filmed it. There is a special place for all of you in the afterlife -hell. Go burn there.

As long as it’s called art!?! WHO calls it art and when? Who decides? How is it decided? How is it that torture, brutality and cruelty against innocent animals is art at anytime? This is the biggest bunch of BS ever.

These films have nothing to do with free speech. What about what the animals that were abused for those films. Did they get to speak up about what happened to them?

This judge is insane…not to mention cold. He must be a customer of the freaks above.

He completely overrode the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act. He didn’t do his job.

i am not going to talk about heaven or hell here, its about earth and what we do to it (nature and life). Humans are the most stupid and heartless living thing, do we not learn form our past!? NO, we dont. We talk of the future but that is all it is…talk, no action. We now should take a look at the past(Africa Blood and Gore) on youtube for instance, in was All human fault. If we(yes, us) cant stop a few barbareans from doing these things to OUR friends, the problem lies within. Dont stand for this, DO SOMETHING!! I do my part everyday, keep my eyes open and if i see something i dont like, or just suspect wrongedoing, I CALL…I CALL. I dont care if its a false alarm, word will soon get around that we will not stand for this cruelty. You that are doing this kind of thing…come find me, they, will be your last steps.